- Sheep believed to have killed elderly couple
A sheep is believed to be responsible for the death of an elderly New Zealand couple whose bodies were found in a meadow.
The NZ Herald reports a couple, both in their 80s, were found dead on their rural property in Waitakere, west of Auckland, early Thursday morning by their son.
He had gone to see the couple after not hearing from them.
Police suspect a ram was behind the deaths, and the Herald reported that officers had located and killed the animal on the couple’s hobby farm.
“Two people have been located dead in a paddock on the Anzac Valley Rd property,” a police spokesperson said.
The NZ Herald reports a couple, both in their 80s, were found dead on their rural property in Waitakere, west of Auckland, early Thursday morning by their son.
‘At this time the circumstances of the death are unexplained. We are in contact with the family at the scene.
It is understood that the man had gone to check on the ram but never returned. Then his wife went to check on her husband, but she never returned home.
Dean Burrell, nephew of one of the dead and a spokesman for the family, told the media outlet Stuff that the couple “both lost their lives in a tragic accident.”
‘They are good people. They are over 80 years old. “They don’t deserve this,” he stated.
‘Everyone is shocked by what has happened. They are very upset.’
Burrell said the couple had not contacted their family for a couple of days.
Police are seen at the scene of a couple who were allegedly killed by a ram on their property
‘Everyone is shocked by what happened. They are very upset. I feel like I was actually dreaming it, it was a bit of a shock when they told me what had happened and I just didn’t believe it.’
Burrell’s father had called him to tell him the news.
“That’s why I came here to support my cousins and the whole family.”
St John’s medics attended the property with two ambulances early on Thursday, with a large police presence throughout the day.
A neighbor who has known the elderly couple for many years and who asked not to be identified described them as a “very quiet couple,” NZ Herald reports.
The neighbor said the man who lived on the property had been farming his entire life.
“He was a very good rancher,” said the neighbor.
St John’s medics attended the property with two ambulances early on Thursday, with a large police presence throughout the day.